Buddies

What is a Buddy?

A Buddy is a fifth year student chosen to help ease the new students into their first year. They also help the students to become familiar with the school, staff and the answer any queries they may have.

Who are they?

Each Buddy wears a badge with the logo "Cara" on it. This makes it easier for students to distinguish the Buddies from other students. From personal experience, attending a new school with 600 other students was very overwhelming and it was comforting to be able to recognise my Buddies by their circular badge worn on their jumper.

Buddies of 2014/15

1A
Mark Agnew 
Anna Bruce
Karen Cooney
Kirsten Eskicicioglu
Cliona Giblin 
Nicole Jackson
Mairead McWalters
1B
David Bolger
Eva Naughton 
Clodagh Robinson 
Grace Hanley 
Danielle Catterall
Hannah Hyland
Claire Madden
1C
Sean Dunleavy
Caoimhe McCormack 
Aisling O'Halloran
Ciara O'Toole
Zoe Byrne
Orla Kelly-Murtagh
Claire McCauley
1D
Eric McAuliffe
Laura McNevin
Megan Victory 
Katie Lawlor 
Ali Hamzawi 
Niamh Simmons 
Shauna Donnelly

How can the Buddies help you?

  • They are experienced in school and can guide you to classrooms if you get lost and flustered with the VERY serious and strict "one-way system!"
  • They are less intimidating than teachers!
  • Buddies can be more understanding than teachers in certain situations as they are students themselves!
  • Buddies are useful in helping you organise study timetables for your November and summer exams!
  • You can confide in your Buddies and chat to them if you're feeling anxious/ worried about fitting in with new friends or just feeling overwhelmed with the transition from primary to secondary school!
  • They can give you advice in regards to meeting homework deadlines and avoiding the humdrum lunch time detention!
  • Buddies can set up lunchtime clubs if you're not in to eating lunch in the clamorous GPH!

What our 1st Years say about the Buddies

Starting secondary school has been a big change, so it's good to know that when you are confused or by yourself that someone is there to help you, the buddies.
They make a big different to the school and we are all grateful for their help.

I think that the buddies are great influence on all of the 1st years,they set good examples and are really nice and friendly.They are always helpful and I feel like if I had a problem that I could go to them for advice. At first they were big and scary, but when they start talking to you they are really nice and funny.

I think the buddies were really friendly.At first,starting school was very daunting but the buddies really helped me with the iPads,my books and giving me helpful tips. I would like to give a very big thank you to the buddies.

The have introduced me to new ways of studying for my exams.

They have told me a way of remembering where my classes are.

The buddies setting up the homework club really helped. I don't have to worry about not getting my homework done on the days I have training.
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